Poverty Reduction

Economic growth will not reduce poverty, improve equality and produce jobs unless it is inclusive. Inclusive growth is also essential for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The globalization process, when properly managed, becomes an important ingredient for inclusive growth. In this context, UNDP works to make real improvements in people’s lives, opening up their choices and opportunities.

Our Goals

UNDP promotes inclusive and sustainable human development and works to reduce poverty in all its dimensions. We focus our efforts on making growth and trade benefit everyone in developing countries.Fast Facts about UNDP and Poverty Reduction

In 2013 Ethiopia has launched an Entrepreneurship Development Programme in partnership with UNDP, to train talented young men and women. By 2015, the aim is for 200,000 to manage successful businesses. more

Projects and Initiatives

A pioneering piece of legislation that recognises work as a fundamental right and guarantees 100 days of employment a year to people in rural areas is emerging as a ray of hope for India’s poor, who have been left even more vulnerable by the aftershocks of the global economic crisis. more

A nation in transition In the 1990s Mongolia transformed from a centrally planned to a market-driven economy. By 2004 the private sector’s share of GDP had... more

Jamaica spends most of its government revenues on the repayment of debt and its interest, with little left over to spend on poverty reduction and infrastructure. Jamaica's Debt Exchange programme lightens its debt servicing burden by restructuring domestic debt. more

Poverty and Social Impact Analysis (PSIA) studies help developing countries analyse the impact of the economic crisis and come up with policies to better deal with consequences of the crisis on poor and vulnerable people. more

Featured Publications

Humanity Divided: Confronting Inequality in Developing Countries

This report revisits the theoretical concepts of inequalities including their measurements, analyzes their global trends, presents the policy makers’ perception of inequalities in 15 countries and identifies various policy options in combating this major development challenge of our time.

Fast Facts: Poverty Reduction

Globally, the number of extreme poor has dropped by 650 million in the last three decades, a level of progress humankind had never seen. But still there are more than a billion people living in extreme poverty.

A Million Voices: The World We Want - A sustainable future with dignity for all

As Member States consult on the shape and content of a successor framework to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) beyond 2015, it is hoped that the opportunity to listen to these voices will contribute to reaching consensus on what is needed to move towards a common sustainable future.